I don't see why I can't have it all, says celeb chef Siba Mtongana

The popular TV cook on the challenges of being a busy working mom and her new show, which sees her exploring SA's underrated food hub

05 May 2019 - 00:13 By Siba Mtongana

Seafood is usually Siba Mtongana's go-to family meal after a long day filming one of her TV shows. Image: Supplied

As a busy mom, wife and TV starmy secret is to prioritise, and to get the support you need. I don't believe that you can't have everything in life, why not! If I work hard, know what I am working towards and have a team of skilled, knowledgeable and experienced people around me, anything is possible.

My squad is a beautiful mix of personalities. My eldest son, Lonwabo, and my third born Buhle (first girl) are carbon copies of each other - they are outgoing, energetic, smart, creative and know exactly what they want, they are the life of our home and keep us all in check.

My second born, Mr Linamandla, is my little teddy bear, kind and caring, he is slightly more reserved and highly intelligent.

And then last but not least, we have the newest addition to the Mtongana clan, nine-month-old NtandoyeNkosi aka Ntando.

My new TV show Siba's Adventures Johannesburg is a different type of show for me, because it saw me head to one of my favourite cities - Johannesburg- to uncover the tastiest bits of SA's City of Gold.

I think Africa, and SA in particular, are completely underrated on the global eatery scene. I believe that Johannesburg is underrated as the hub of SA food culture.

After a busy day of filming my go-to family meal is usually seafood, which I love. It is cooked in minutes and needs simple ingredients like olive oil or butter, garlic, ginger, fresh herbs and lemons, seasoning and you are done!!! Healthy, fast, easy and tasty, which embodies Sibalicious!!!

My series airs in over 135 countries, and in 60 million homes in the USA alone. It is also translated into 35 languages. I am extremely popular in regions around the Middle East, Africa and Europe, such as Italy and Poland, to name just a few.

Instagram is my most impressive platform with 192,000 fans. I am chasing the big 200,000. I also love Facebook and have 157,000 followers.